CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT OF THE 12 TH ASEAN-INDIA SUMMIT 12 November 2014 Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Transcription

1 Final MYANMAR CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT OF THE 12 TH ASEAN-INDIA SUMMIT 12 November 2014 Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar 1. The li h ASEAN-India Summit, chaired by the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. U Thein Sein, was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 12 November The Summit was attended by all Heads of State/ Government of ASEAN Member States and H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India. 2. The ASEAN Leaders reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the ASEAN-India Vision Statement 2012 which elevated the ASEAN-India Partnership to a strategic level The ASEAN Leaders welcomed the "Act East" emphasis in India's "Look East Policy" and expressed their fervent belief that this would contribute to the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership, particularly in support ofthe ASEAN Community building process and ASEAN Centrality. 3. The ASEAN Leaders encouraged India's continued support for the implementation of the Roadmap for ASEAN Community ( ), the Bali Declaration on ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations (Bali Concord III) and developing the ASEAN Community Post-2015 Vision. 4. We expressed satisfaction with the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan ofaction (PoA) to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity ( ). We looked forward to the third ASEAN-India PoA ( ) to serve as an action-oriented document to further deepen the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership, as well as ASEAN Community building and integration. We agreed that it should build on and strengthen the strong sense ofcommunity between the peoples ofasean Member States and India. 5. We were satisfied with the steady progress made in ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations over the past twenty-two years. We appreciated India's unwavering support in ASEAN-Ied mechanisms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East ~ \ (til

2 10. We noted that the total trade between ASEAN and India reached US$ 67.9 billion in 2013 and renewed our commitment to reach the target of US$ 100 billion by We welcomed the signing oftwo milestone agreements; the Agreement on Trade in Services and the Agreement on Investment of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and India during the 46 th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and related meetings held in Nay Pyi Taw from 25 to 28 August, We looked forward to the early operationalisation of these Agreements. We were confident that these Agreements would serve as catalysts for a strategic economic partnership between ASEAN and India. \L/ 2 Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in order to tackle regional and international issues faced by the region. 6. We underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, security and stability. In view of escalating terrorism across the globe, we reiterated our commitment to strengthen cooperation in implementing the ASEAN-India 2003 Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism. In view of the urgency to combat drug trafficking, we agreed to raise awareness ofthe dangers and threats posed by drug consumption and abuse, particularly among the youths in ASEAN and India. 7. We agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation through existing mechanisms in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. We agreed to further enhance the close cooperation between ASEAN and India on maritime issues, with a particular focus on maritime security and addressing the emerging challenges at sea. In this light, the ASEAN Leaders welcomed India's participation in the 3 rd Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) in Danang, Viet Nam, from 27 to 28 August We noted the progress of ASEAN-India cooperation to share IT knowledge and experiences. We looked forward to the establishment of IT training centres, the setting up of software development centres in CLMV countries, providing assistance in information technology curriculum development and teacher training on IT in CLMV countries and other interested ASEAN Member States. ASEAN Leaders also encouraged India to continue its support to enhance the IT skills of the workforce in ASEAN by providing scholarships, joint training programmes and courses, e-learning, seminars, workshops for public and private personnel and students of CLMV countries and the exchange of IT experts. 9. We recognised the important role of the ASEAN-India Centre which serves as a resource centre for regular networking activities and studies on sub-regional developments. We noted the Centre's support to facilitate the implementation of ASEAN-India activities and projects, including research, connectivity and promoting people-to-people linkages.

3 3 11. We recognised the importance of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as a key instrument in realising the ASEAN Economic Community. We also recognised that RCEP will facilitate mutual benefits for all participating countries. In this regard, we underscored the need to expedite the ongoing RCEP negotiations and timely implementation of the ASEAN-India FTA. We agreed that establishing closer synergies of development and related ease of travel between ASEAN and India would also give strength to the ongoing RCEP negotiations. 12. The ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation for India's support for the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and highlighted the importance of building physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity between ASEAN and India. In this regard, we welcomed the 5 th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium on Catalysing Public-Private Partnerships to Finance ASEAN Connectivity, held in Nay Pyi Taw. We concurred that the symposium provided opportunities for ASEAN and all participating countries to share and discuss views on various public private partnership (PPP) options available and how these could be used to facilitate the implementation of the MPAC. We also agreed that the MPAC requires close cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, development agencies and international organisations at the regional, sub-regional and international levels. In this regard, we welcomed the commencement of direct shipping services from India to Myanmar since October ASEAN Leaders welcomed India's proposed special facility for easing project financing on connectivity that would further contribute towards narrowing the development gap in ASEAN. 13. To enhance ASEAN-India connectivity, we highlighted that bridges of knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and vocational training, travel, trade and investment should be further strengthened. We emphasised the relevance of connecting minds by using the foundations of shared civilisational heritage, present priorities and future ambitions ofthe people in the ASEAN-India region. 14. We further highlighted the need to enhance people-to-people connectivity through exchange of culture, education, media, and promoting tourism. In this regard, we encouraged effective implementation of ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation under the framework of the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoD) and suggested immediate attention to be given to the consideration of establishing a circuit of Buddhist heritage sites in the region. We also underscored the importance of visa facilitation between ASEAN and India.

4 4 15. We agreed to intensify dialogue on Consular issues, evolving Knowledge and Skills Initiatives, using sporting events to link our universities and enhancing linkages between institutions for healthcare, medicine and pharmaceuticals. 16. We agreed to promote Track II participation to fulfil ASEAN's aspiration of a people-oriented and a people-centred ASEAN. We welcomed the steady progress of ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT) and agreed to further promote its activities. In this regard, we welcomed the 3 rd Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks, with the theme Building a Stronger ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership in the 21 st Century, held in Hanoi from 25 to 26 August. We looked forward to the 4 th Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks in Malaysia in We recognised the Delhi Dialogue as a versatile dialogue mechanism to link Track 1 and 2 interactions between ASEAN and India. We welcomed the Delhi Dialogue VI held in New Delhi from 6 to 7 March ASEAN Leaders reaffirmed their continued support for the Delhi Dialogue VII scheduled from 11 to 12 March We appreciated the value of the ongoing special interface between ASEAN and Indian Parliamentarians at the annual ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly General Assembly. 19. The ASEAN Leaders appreciated India's commitment to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (lai) through its assistance in promoting human resource development, infrastructure development and ICT development to the CLMV countries. ASEAN Leaders encouraged India to continue support in this regard. 20. We underscored the importance of promoting energy cooperation and energy security. We agreed on the urgent need for effective initiatives on sustainable use in energy resources through exchanging best policies and practices, transferring technology and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility. We also highlighted the need to further promote the ASEAN-India New and Renewable Energy Initiative. ASEAN Leaders commended India for sharing wind turbine technology and its applications. 21. We agreed that early completion of the ASEAN-India Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation would facilitate greater collaboration in the utilisation of advancements in science and technology for developmental purposes. 22. We recognised the importance of food security in the region. We looked forward to enhanced cooperation between ASEAN and India to widen food

5 5 production bases and exchange expertise to promote resilience in food security and to address the price volatility of food supplies. In this regard, ASEAN Leaders appreciated India's cooperation in knowledge sharing on agricultural technologies. In view of the growing populations in ASEAN and India, we agreed to explore the possibility of augmenting emergency food reserve capacities. 23. Recognising that both ASEAN and India are vulnerable to natural disasters, we agreed to forge closer cooperation in disaster management. The ASEAN Leaders underscored the importance of India's cooperation in implementing the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). We highlighted the need to focus on climate change initiatives to counter the far and wide-reaching impacts ofclimate change. 24. We reiterated our commitment to continue working closely together on regional and international issues of mutual interest and common concern. We expressed our shared vision for a stronger partnership, which would contribute positively to the lasting peace, prosperity and well-being of our peoples. *********